C:/my documents/barry mcphee/veggie village/pest control & companion planting hand-out

Pest Control and Companion Planting Workshop Veggie Village

1. Introduction

Now that we have established our gardens the question arises as to how we can control pests and diseaseswithout resorting to harmful sprays and other killers, and, how do we improve our success rate in the garden.

Fortunately nature, through a great variety of herbs, has provided us with many safe and effective ways oftackling this problem. As well as pest control planting herbs provides a ready supply of delicious and fragrantfoods.

A quote from Bill Mollison: “I believe that there is no pest problem that will not yield to our appliedcommonsense and an integrated natural approach”.

A quote from Janet Millington “The whole concept has to be that when you start a garden you areputting food out for the pests... they will come… some would be tempted to poison them and kill them…you don’t want to do that because if you poison them the birds that come to help you will be killed too”. “So plant the garden, wait for the pests to notice… they are the enemy. Now you need to make friendswith the enemy of your enemies. Wait till the birds and beneficial insects notice the food – the pests. Make them welcome and they will control, as well as confusing the pests”.

In a nutshell Janet suggests that you attract the birds and beneficial insects which will eat the pests.

Also, experience has shown that nature has developed plants which like one another’s company and this hasimproved success with plant propagation. This method is called “Companion Planting” - among other names.

These practices are in line with our Permaculture principle of CARE OF THE EARTH: Provision of all lifesystems to continue and multiply.

2. Aims

• To be able to select and cultivate herbs which repel insect and bug pests in our gardens

• To be able to place plants together to improve success in our gardens

• To benefit from the experiences of others

3. Insect & Bug Repellant Plants

Flying Insects:Plant Repellant Method Insect/Pest Other BenefitGarlic Pungent Aroma Flying Insects, Aphids Disinfects & Cleans SoilTansy Pleasant Aroma Flying Insects Potted – room air freshenerMint/Sage Aroma White Cabbage Fly Dried – place with clothes to repel

mothsThyme Aroma Cabbage Root Fly

C:/my documents/barry mcphee/veggie village/pest control & companion planting hand-out

Marigolds Aroma Insects Colour to the garden also encouragebees

Marigolds Root Secretion Root EatingNematodes (eelworm)

Marigolds amongTomatoes

Aroma White Fly

Basil amongTomatoes

Aroma Disease & Pests, Flies& Mosquitoes

Flowers attract bees

Rosemary/Onions Aroma Carrot FlyNasturtiums Aroma Cabbage White Moth,

Aphids, CucumberBeetle

Flowers attract bees

Slug/Snail:Plant/ Product Repellant Method Insect/Pest Other BenefitSawdust/ Sand Rough Surface Slug/ SnailHollowed Out HalfOrange

Night Hiding Place Slug

Night Search Pick up, exterminateand dispose of inCompost bin.

Slug/ Snail

Native Snail Cannibal Snail Imported Snail More research required.Leopard Slug Eats decaying

vegetationGarden Cleanup More research required.

4. Companion Planting

A method of planting which groups plants which like each others company.

Plant Planting Month*SC Planting Guide

Likes Dislikes

Asparagus August/September Parsley, tomatoes PotatoesBroad Beans May/June Carrots,

Cauliflower,RedBeets, Cucumber,Cabbage, Potatoes,Leeks, Lettuce,Celeriac, Celery

Onion, Fennel, Garlic, Chives,Shallots

Peas – climbing &dwarf

April Carrot, Corn, Radish,Cucumber, Beans

Onions, Shallots & Garlic

Beets Feb to November Kohlrabi, DwarfBeans, Onion, Chives

Climbing & Dwarf Beans, Lettuce,Silverbeet, Leaf Mustard

Broccoli February to June Dill, Celery,Chamomile, Sage,Rosemary, Potatoes,Beetroot, Onion

Tomato, Climbing Beans,Strawberries, Oregano

C:/my documents/barry mcphee/veggie village/pest control & companion planting hand-out

Beetroot, OnionCabbage May to October Potatoes, SageCarrots April to July Chives, Onions,

Leeks, Sage, Peas &Lettuce, Tomato

Dill, Parsnips, Sage, Rosemary,Radish

Cauliflower February to May Celery, Celeriac,Beans, Oregano

Strawberries, Peas, Potatoes,Nasturtium

Celery Mar to September Dwarf Beans, Peas,Potatoes, Dill, Leeks,Cabbage, Tomato

Parsnips, Potato, Wheat

Cucumber September/ October Chives, Beans, PeasCabbage, Potatoes,Carrot, Radish, Celery

Potato, Sage, Cauliflower, Basil

Chives Carrots, Tomato,Parsley, Parsnips,Fruit Trees

Broad Beans

Eggplant August to February Beans, Potatoes,Marjoram

Garlic March Beans, PeasLeeks January to July Celery, Carrot,

StrawberriesLettuce March to October Carrots, Radishes,

Strawberries,Cabbage, Onion,Cucumber

Parsley, Beans, Beetroot, Parsnip

Onions May & June Carrots, Cabbage,Beetroot

Beans, Peas, Parsnip, Parsley, Leek

Parsley March to June Asparagus &Tomatoes

Peas March & April Turnips, Beans, SweetCorn, Radishes,Carrots Cucumber,Potato

Onion, Garlic, Shallots

Potatoes April to July Beans, Sweet Corn,Peas & Cabbage

Tomatoes, Sunflower, Pumpkin,Squash, Cucumber, Dill, Eggplant,Raspberries

Pumpkin Sept to November Sweet Corn,Marjoram

Potatoes

Radish March to November Most Plants Squash, Peas, NasturtiumsSilverbeet February to September Beetroot, Onions

Spinach March to August Broad Beans,Strawberries, FruitTrees

Tomatoes Feb to May, Aug toOctober

Parsley, Asparagus,Basil

Potatoes, Beetroot, Fennel, Kohlrabi,Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts,Cauliflower, Rosemary, Dill, Onions,Parsnip

SwedesTurnip

March to MayMay & June

Peas

C:/my documents/barry mcphee/veggie village/pest control & companion planting hand-out

Zucchini August to November Corn, Marjoram,Nasturtium

5. Contributions From Attendees

The soap used in the following sprays will help the mixture ‘stick’ to the leaves. If you don’t use a smallamount of soap, the mixture will probably have a shorter life-span on the plant.

• Molasses spray – Helps stop bugs/grubs from eating leaveso 1tblspn molasses, 1ltr water, 1tspn liquid soapo Mix all ingredients together thoroughlyo Apply (spray) to top and bottom of leaveso Must be re-applied after it rains

• Chili spray – Helps stop bugs/grubs from eating leaves; Bush turkey deterrento Wear plastic gloves when making this recipe. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas!o 20 chilies, 1ltr water, 1tspn liquid soapo Whiz chilies and small amount of water in a food processoro Pour this water/chili mix through a strainer to remove solidso Add the strained water/chili mix to the remaining watero Add liquid soap and mix thoroughlyo Apply (spray) to top and bottom of leaves for bugs and grubso Apply (spray/watering can) to area around plants to deter bush turkeyso Must be re-applied after it rains

• Garlic spray – Helps stop bugs/grubs from eating leaveso 10 cloves garlic, 1ltr water, 1tspn liquid soap or 30 grams of grated pure soapo Whiz garlic and small amount of water in a food processoro Pour this water/garlic mix through a strainer to remove solidso Add the strained water/garlic mix to the remaining watero Add soap and mix thoroughlyo Apply (spray) to top and bottom of leaveso Must be re-applied after it rains

• McLeod’s Agriculture – Red Spot Foliar Microbeso Available from Eumundi Markets. Ph: 1800 062 616

6. Conclusion

In this workshop we have examined• safe and harmless methods of controlling insects and pests and improve visual appeal;• companion planting - a method for improving our success in the garden;• and benefited from the experiences of others.

7. References

C:/my documents/barry mcphee/veggie village/pest control & companion planting hand-out

• “No Dig Gardening and Leaves Of Life” – Esther Dean – Publisher Harper Collins• Permaculture – A Designers Manual – Bill Mollison – Publisher Tagari• *Permaculture Noosa – Sunshine Coast Planting Guide• “Organic Growing Methods – Companion Planting” – Lydia Waldron – Published in COGS Quarterly,

Spring 1994• “Celtic-Nordic Eightfold Year – Seasonal Garden Chart for the Subtropics” – Robyn Francis –

Published by Djanbung Gardens Permaculture Education Centre.

8. Acknowledgements:

Janet Millington – PDC;Permaculture Noosa – planting guide;Phil Cook – input and assistance;All - who contributed their experiences and recipes;All – who listened so patiently.